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Thursday, October 30, 2008

**COMMENTS NOW CLOSED** Short and sweet today. I'm a bargain shopper by nature. I avoid paying full price whenever I can. I research things online and cut coupons. This is the first time in several years the holidays are going to take more than a little creativity on my part. And I know I'm not alone. Hopefully this will help.

To enter:1. Leave a comment. More than "enter me," or "I'm in!" please. What are you doing this weekend? What did you have for dinner last night? Tell me a joke. Whatever.

2. I MUST have a way to get in touch with you! NoReply@Blogger will not send you a response. I will have to delete comments with no contact info.

3. Comments will close on Friday, October 31st at 11:59pm CA time.

4. I will use random.org to draw the winners and post the results/notify winner via email and in a "Winners" post on Saturday 11/1.

6. You don't need a blog to win, but I MUST have a way to contact you. US residents only (sorry!)

Going green and changing the impact my family has on the environment can often seem daunting. Sometimes it's hard for me to know where to start, what changes to make, what we can afford to do and what changes will have the most impact.

I believe we all need to be more conscious of what is happening to our planet, but I also believe in doing what is practical for you and your family.I'd love to stop using paper towels, but know I'd never be able to keep up with the laundry so I try to buy recycled ones and I use cloth towels for dusting and light cleaning.

One change I have been able to stick with is using environmentally friendly laundry soap. When I saw an ad for today's sponsor, I emailed and they responded right away with a really great offer for THREE winners!

Dropps are concentrated liquid gel pods just like ones for the dishwasher. They dissolve immediately, are biodegradable and are phosphate, chlorine and NPE free (I had to look up the last one, it's nonylphenol ethoxylate). Dropps are sold online through their site, Amazon and Drugstore; and in Target, Wal Mart and Whole Foods.

They come in three sizes: 2,20 and 26 load pouches.I asked if a larger size is available through Costco or Sam's. A 42 load size will be available in December but only at the current locations. They come in a Fresh scent or dye-free non-scented which would be good for hubby's eczema.

One winner will receive a three-month supply of Dropps! That's 60 washloads (three 20 load pouches)! And two runners up will receive sample packages.

**Update: The literal second I hit publish, the doorbell rang with my samples! I'm not being dramatic either. I swear! Funny how things like that happen. Like when you think of a song and it comes on the radio. Anyway, I gathered up some of the mountains of my laundry and used one of the 2-load packs for a large load. The packs float and look like dying jellyfish while they're dissolving. To enter:

1. Go to the Dropps site to read more about their environmental benefits.

2. Come back here and leave a comment on this post and tell me your impressions or what you're doing to be more green - required.

3. I MUST have a way to get in touch with you! NoReply@Blogger will not send you a response. I will have to delete comments with no contact info.

4. Comments will close on Friday, October 31st at 11:59pm CA time.

5. I will use random.org to draw the winners and post the results/notify winner via email and in a "Winners" post on Saturday 11/1. The lowest number will be grand prize winner.

6. You don't need a blog to win, but I MUST have a way to contact you. US residents only (sorry!)***Enter the day 1 chocolate giveaway here, day 2 handmade pendant here and day 3 book lover's prize here. Tomorrow: Target

Wednesday, October 29, 2008

**COMMENTS NOW CLOSED** If you have been here before you know how much I like to read. If you haven't been here before, I REALLY like to read. In my reading list recently I gave a big thumbs up to Joshilyn Jackson and predicted she'd become one of my favorite auhors. After reading her latest book, The Girl Who Stopped Swimming, I stand by that statement even more. The book was really good. No, great. I couldn't put it down. If you're not reading her, you should be.

I've been using my local library more and more since our budget can't keep up with book bingeing. I got the email that the new book was available last Wednesday but didn't pick it up until Friday literally minutes before the 5 o'clock closing time. I started reading it in the evening after dinner, stayed up till about midnight and finished it at 12:47 pm on Saturday. Did I mention it's a really good book?

Jackson has a very easy writing style. Her characters are unique and vibrant. The stories flow and the plots are engaging. When I saw one of her books on the clearance rack, I knew it would make a great giveaway.

The winner will receive a new hardback copy of Jackson's book Between, Georgia, a $5 Starbucks card, $5 Barnes and Noble card and a re-usable tote.

To enter:

1. Go to Joshilyn Jackson's site to read the synopses of her three books (She doesn't know I'm doing this).

2. Come back here and leave a comment on this post and tell me which you'd like to read first (under the books tab) - required.

3. I MUST have a way to get in touch with you! NoReply@Blogger will not send you a response. I will have to delete comments with no contact info.

4. Comments will close on Friday, October 31st at 11:59pm CA time.

5. I will use random.org to draw the winner and post the results/notify winner via email and in a "Winners" post on Saturday 11/1.

6. You don't need a blog to win, but I MUST have a way to contact you. US residents only (sorry!)

**Enter the day 1 chocolate giveaway here and the day 2 pendant here**

Tuesday, October 28, 2008

**COMMENTS NOW CLOSED** As Napoleon Dynamite would say, "Lucky!" Today I have a handmade wood pendant from the Etsy shop of Susy at EarthExpressions. It will pain me to give this away.

Susy's jewelry is just beautiful. I'm so happy she responded to my tweet and offered to participate in my giveaway. In addition to the wood pendants she has recycled glass pendants and rings.Susy has a special going on right now, be sure to read the details when you click over to her site (the one of a kind pieces are awesome!). You can also sign up for her mailing list to be alerted to other sales and specials.AND she has generously offered a 15% discount to any order placed during the Carnival (10/27-10/31). Use code ADramaticMommy at checkout. Susy will apply the discount for you or you can ask for a revised invoice. Awesome!The winner of today's giveaway will receive this pendant and tin:

Monday, October 27, 2008

**COMMENTS NOW CLOSED**It's the most wonderful time of the year! Bloggy Giveaway Carnival time! I have so much fun during this week. The last carnival had over 1,000 participants and with the holidays coming, I bet it will be that big again (if not bigger!)

Welcome to people visiting for the first time. I appreciate you stopping by and I'd love to see you back again. My last carnival went so well I decided to do it again. I'll have a different item each day this week so please check back.

I thought I'd start the week with chocolate. It's one of my addictions and this company, Jer's Gourmet Chocolates, feeds the addiction well. Jer's is a local company started by Jerry Swain in his parent's kitchen. If you like chocolate and peanut butter, you'll love these!

I have three boxes of the newest item in their product line, the peanut butter bars. The winner will receive one box each of Toffee Break, Cara Mella and the Original IncrediBar (I'm keeping the Pretzo Change-O!). Each box has two bars.

Sunday, October 26, 2008

I need to get this off my chest so I can move on. Tomorrow is the first day of the last Bloggy Carnival Giveaway of the year. I sent out several letters asking for donations. Can I just say the etiquette in business seems to have gone of leg warmers and ripped jeans? I get it that not everyone "understands" blogging and the culture. I know I'm not on the A-list with a giant readership. But for a business to not even send a generic form letter in this day and age is pathetic. It's unprofessional, inconsiderate and bad business. Thanks, I feel better.

Friday, October 24, 2008

I am thinking of doing a What I'd Put on My Christmas List if Money Were No Object post. Is anyone interested in playing along? We can limit it to 5 things. Leave a comment if you're interested. If enough people want to play I'll put up a Mr. Linky. (Image from here)

The Bitches went out last night and it was good. We brought a new bitch into the group and she's either quiet by nature or we scared her a little.

We ate good food, drank a little and indulged in dessert. And flossed.At the end of the night, in a Prop 8 moment, we had an impromptu wedding officiated by two corpses. These two have been flirting for awhile. It's good they finally made it official (Tom and Tech Support are totally OK with it. I think).

Tuesday, October 21, 2008

I had a chance to try the new Steam N Mash potatoes by Ore Ida. Though I can't say I'll be adding them to my regular shopping list, they were much better and fresher tasting than I expected.

The serving size was a little smaller than I would have liked (because I'm all about the starch and carbs and I wasn't able to have seconds, not that I need it) but they were so easy to prepare. They come frozen in chunks which is good for people who like their mashed potatoes lumpy (I do).

I added a little more milk and butter than was called for (also added fresh ground pepper) but if I hadn't they would have tasted just fine. I could see myself buying them the next time I want to make Shepherd's Pie (ooh that sounds good right now!).

I have $1 off coupons for the first 8 people who'd like to try them. Just leave a comment with your email address. (Coupons expire 4/09)

Friday, October 17, 2008

I can't believe it's been more than a week since I was a few short hours from touching down in Orlando. To say the trip was an amazing whirlwind would be an understatement. Same for first class. And inspiring. And enlightening. But I'm getting ahead of myself.

I landed early evening on Friday and had just enough time to change for the welcome cocktail hour and dinner. How nice it was to have a room all to myself! We met a few of the Disney executives and Maria Bailey of BSM Media. We had drinks and appetizers then it was off to The Animal Kingdom Lodge to see the amazing collection of African artifacts and have dinner with two Disney chefs at Jiko.

After dinner a few of us went dancing at a club on the Boardwalk. Saturday we started bright and early (7:45) with breakfast and Q&A session with more executives to share our perceptions of Disney and what they hoped to gain by having us there. After breakfast we went to The Magic Kingdom for a few rides, and then on to Hollywood Studios for the parade, lunch at The Brown Derby with two Disney Imagineers, more rides and shopping.

Then back to the hotel for a little down time before it was time to break out my new fake eyelashes and get ready for dinner at Epcot Center. And when I say I could go on and on about how amazing the food, wine and entertainment were at the Party of the Senses, I mean rave for days! I had a chicken paprikash with roasted cauliflower dish that, seriously, I don't think I'll ever forget. And the chocolate cake with salted caramel sauce! TO. DIE. FOR. I wish I had pictures but my ancient brick of a camera wouldn't fit into my cute little handbag. This is a little taste.

After the tasting we watched the fireworks show then back to the hotel. We went dancing and met the rockin'- est grandma ever! I only hope I have her energy when I'm using the senior discount. Even though my feet were killing me, I wasn't ready to call it a night so when the idea to go to another club came up I was all for it. Thank you to Patrick Ewing for letting us finish your vodka and cranberry juice!Sunday we started with a trip to the Animal Kingdom to see The Festival of the Lion King. Then off to The House of Blues for Gospel Brunch. I have not been to church in awhile but I was so moved by the music I got tears in my eyes.After brunch we had a second discussion with the execs to give our feedback from the weekend. It is so refreshing to know that a company as big (huge! vast!) as Disney would see the need to reach out to a particular community and actually see it through. I appreciate what they are trying to achieve and hope the weekend gave them enough insight going forward to be successful in their campaign.

Thursday, October 16, 2008

I won a Sherbert Party from Elle's New England Kitchen and it arrived today. I promised Drama Kid I wouldn't open it until he got home but I forgot it's a martial arts day! Grr. Now I have to wait and patience isn't one of my better traits. I'll post pictures of us sampling all the flavors (and trying to fit five cartons of sherbert in my freezer!).

I took my son to martial arts on Tuesday. I forgot to turn off my cell and of course got a call. I took it outside and when I walked out the door I had my back to another mom. She was seated with her back against the wall helping her daughter with schoolwork.

I turned back toward the studio to watch the class and almost dropped my phone. Not only was the woman sitting with her knees up in a dress, but she was wearing a maxi pad in her lace underwear! Eeew! Ick! Blech! My eyes!

I was floored. I finished my call and hurried back inside where I promptly whispered what I'd been unfortunate enough to see to hubby.

Normally, I can be pretty upfront with my opinions. It was on the tip of my tongue to tell her to close her legs already, but I didn't say anything.

Would you have told her to keep her menses to herself?What have you seen that you wish you could permanently erase from your mind?

I feed both animals, make lunch and it's back downstairs for the brushing of the teeth and hair, finding of the shoes and Star Wars Lego guys and then off to school.

Occasionally I get to walk Drama Kid into school to say goodbye and if I'm lucky I get a hug and kiss before he runs off.

After drop off I head down to the beach for my walk.

By the time I get to the beach it's about 9:15. I walk for distance not speed so I'm usually not home until close to 11:00. I have breakfast which is some combination of coffee, tea, chai latte, cereal or my oatmeal.

Then I shower and spend hours some time on the computer. I'll start laundry, load the dishwasher and try not to cringe every time I walk by Drama Kid's room.

After this it's errand time. I'm either at Costco, Henry's, Trader Joe's, getting gas, returning library books and/or movies, buying birthday presents or any of the other things that "someone" should be doing to keep the household running smoothly.

By now it's close to pick up time at school and the mad dash to make it to martial arts class somewhat on time (school lets out at 3:10, class starts at 3:30). I read and listen to my iPod.

Class ends at 4:20 then it's home for homework, a little play time, dinner and getting Drama Kid to bed.Writing it out makes it seem really boring. Sometimes I think I need MORE in my life but then I take a step back and realize I have everything I need, and lots of stuff I want and it really can't get any better than that.

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About Melanie

Melanie Sheridan is a Southern California lifestyle blogger writing about her life as a stay at home mom turned work at home mom. She married her high school sweetheart 16 years ago and they share one amazing kid. She is an avid reader, shoe slut, Twitter addict, chocolate fiend, newbie photographer, closet gadget girl, wannabe foodie, late iAdopter, recovering shopaholic and a Pinning Fool. Melanie is very active in San Diego's social media community and freelances with small business owners.